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Saturday, November 19, 2005
Military intensifies offensive v. Sayyaf in Sulu
By Al Jacinto
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- The military has intensified its assault on suspected Abu Sayyaf strongholds in the island of Jolo in Sulu, as fighting between security forces and the rebels entered its first week Friday.
Military chief Lieutenant General Generoso Senga inspected troops in the troubled island and ordered security forces to intensify their campaign against the militants, whose group is tied to the al-Qaeda terror network.
The operation also targeted Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels who were said to be aiding the Abu Sayyaf in Jolo, about 950 kilometers south of Manila.
"We will pursue relentlessly the Abu Sayyaf and the groups that are supporting them," he said.
Senga told the soldiers to get the Abu Sayyaf leaders and destroy the terrorist group.
The military accused MNLF rebels of coddling Abu Sayyaf members and in many instances fought alongside them in the towns of Indanan and Panamao.
"We want this operation done right away, so peace may return to Jolo and we can start development projects and provide the people with livelihood," Senga said.
Jolo military chief Brigadier General Alexander Aleo also briefed Senga on the progress of the anti-terror campaign. Four soldiers and dozens of Abu Sayyaf gunmen were killed, and at least 22 soldiers were also wounded in fierce fighting since last week, he said.
"We will not stop this operation until the Abu Sayyaf and their supporters surrender," he said.
A group of US troops were also spotted inside a military base in Jolo, but Filipino officials said the Americans are part of a humanitarian mission.
American military officials previously said that US troops deployed in the southern region were there to assist advice and train Filipino forces in fighting terrorism.
Rebel forces launched a series of mortar attacks since early this week in Panamao and Indanan.
The military accused MNLF rebels under commanders Khaid Ajibun and Haber Malik of aiding the Abu Sayyaf group, blamed by the government as behind the series of terrorism and kidnappings in the south.
Malik accused the military of attacking their strongholds and denied his group was aiding the Abu Sayyaf.
He said troops were using mosques in Panamao town to launch operation against them.
"The soldiers are cowards. They are hiding inside the mosques and that's why we cannot attack them on the ground because our fellow Muslims may be caught in the crossfire," he said in a television interview.
Sporadic clashes were reported in several villages in Indanan and Panamao. And one army officer said gunmen opened fire on a chopper transporting equipment in Jolo on Thursday.
Rebel forces were harassing civilians in the two towns, forcing them to flee their villages.
The exodus of civilians continues because many are afraid that rebels would kidnap or use them as shield against pursuing soldiers. More than 2,000 people have already fled their villages.
Troops were pursuing Abu Sayyaf leaders Albader Parad, Umbra Jumdail Gumbahali and Radulan Sahiron, all included in Washington and Manila's terror lists.
A military report said Gumbahali was shot on the leg in previous clashes with troops.
Southern Philippines military commander Lieutenant General Edilberto Adan on Friday appealed to the public to help authorities by providing information about the Abu Sayyaf and its leaders.
"Please help authorities by providing information about the terrorists. We want to see the end result of this campaign and that is peace," he said.
On Thursday, two military helicopters dropped thousands of leaflets with photographs of known Abu Sayyaf leaders and the rewards for their capture, dead or alive.
In February, at least 25 soldiers and some 120 MNLF and Abu Sayyaf militants had been killed in weeks of fierce clashes following a rebel attack on a military post in Jolo.
Most of the attackers were loyal supporters of jailed MNLF leader Nur Misuari.
Misuari formerly headed the MNLF that accepted limited autonomy and signed a peace deal with the government in 1996. But violence flared again in November 2001 after some 200 former rebels, backed by the Abu Sayyaf, attacked a major army base in Jolo.
Misuari later escaped to Malaysia where he was arrested and deported back to the Philippines. Misuari was imprisoned on charges of rebellion, which carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, but thousands of his followers and supporters still maintain strongholds in the Muslim island of Jolo.
Many Abu Sayyaf militants were former members of the MNLF. And the military said they are still loyal to Misuari and in many instances fought alongside with forces identified with the ex-rebel leader. (Sun.Star Zamboanga/Sunnex)
(November 19, 2005 issue)
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